Grassroots clubs will not pay players after salary cap cut to zero by SANFL community football
Country and city football clubs won’t be allowed to pay players this season after a landmark decision by the SANFL to help community leagues get their seasons off the ground.
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Local football clubs will be banned from paying players for the 2020 season in a bid to help grassroots leagues get their seasons off the ground.
All country and metropolitan clubs in SA will be affected by the landmark decision, which was announced by the SANFL on Friday after it received substantial support on the heavily debated issue.
An SANFL survey revealed 83 per cent of leagues and 70 per cent of community clubs supported $0 match payments for this season.
Under the salary cap introduced in 2016, country clubs could pay players up to $3500 per week while the Adelaide Footy League’s limit was set at $3000.
Players will instead be asked to play for the love of the game a season likely to be half its normal length due to the coronavirus suspension
SANFL head of community football Tom Hurley said the feedback revealed a significant majority of leagues and clubs were in favour of abolishing player payments in 2020.
“Ultimately, our goal is to ensure every football club and league in South Australia can get through season 2020 and come out of the other side and be sustainable and successful,” Hurley said.
“While some clubs may not be as impacted as others by COVID-19, most have taken a significant hit through loss of sponsorship and other revenue streams as a result of the effect on local businesses.”
Hurley said the decision to abolish player payments would give clubs and leagues more clarity before making a decision about their 2020 season.
Clubs will need to players to sign a new playing contract or adjust their old one to adhere to the ruling.
For players who do not agree to match payments being cut, the SANFL encouraged clubs to explain the challenging financial position clubs are faced with including loss of revenue from sponsorship, fundraising, match-day income and membership.
Travel allowances – 50c for each kilometre travelled over 100km on match days – will still be permitted as will a maximum of $600 per club for after match awards.
The Adelaide Footy League led calls last month for payments to be reduced or abolished for 2020 while the AFL recommended an immediate 50 per cent reduction on player payment caps at local level.
The complete scrapping of payments is only for this season, but the SANFL also indicated there would be continued discussion of the Total Player Payments System for 2021 and beyond.
Leaders from the state’s community football leagues are set to meet for crucial talks on Tuesday, June 9 about beginning their seasons.
The Adelaide Footy League has planned for a potential return to the oval on July 4.